Locomotive head-light with signal attachment



(No Model.)

r 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.- LA. & G. L'WILLIAMS. LOGOMOT-IVE HEAD LIGHT WITH SIGNAL ATTAQHME'NTL No. 281,327. Patented July 17; 1883.

W/Jfn asses (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

I. A. & 0. I.- WILLIAMS.

LOGOMOTIVE HEAD LIGHT WITH SIGNAL ATTACHMENT.

No. 281,327. Patented July 1-7, 1883.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. r .I. A. 850.11. WILLIAMS;

HEAD LIGHT WITH SIGNAL ATTACHMENT.

.1 I0. Z81,32"7.' I Eff/{Patented July 17, 1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT. .rrron.

IRVIN A. WILLIAMS AND CHARLES I. WILLIAMS, OF UTIOA, NEN YQRK.

LOCOMOTIVE HEAD-LIGHT WITH S IGNAL ATTACHMENT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 281,327, dated July 17, 1883.

- Application filed March 24. 1892. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, IRvIN A. WILLIAMS and CHARLES I. WILLIAMS, citizens of the United States, residing at Utica, in the county of Oneida and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Locomotive Head- Light with Signal Attachment, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved locomotive head-light, whereby the reflected rays of light from the reflector and burner are secured and utilized within the head-light case for illuminating signals, indicators, or a plate or plates of transparent or light-transmitting material, displaying a sign, index, name, or number, or illuminating and displaying anumher or name or color for signal purposes; and the nature of our invention consists in providing a head-light case with a signal illumination chamber or chambers, or equivalent means, forward of the front edge or flange of the reflector, outside the reflector, and on the outside of the large glass-covered opening in the front of the case, whereby the said glasscovered opening can be made as large as the diameter of the front edge of the reflector and the reflected rays for illuminating the signal-chambers can be employed independently of the great volume of light employed for lightingup the track, and thus the confusion arising from a too great intensity as well as volume of light being thrown upon the signals simultaneously with the throwing of the same upon the track is avoided.

Our invention also consists in a head-light case provided with a signal illuminationchamber forward of and on the outside of the reflector, and provided with a front and rear signal, which may consist of transparent material, colored glass, or other indicators, which can be illuminated by the burner of the headlight, such indicators being either in figures, letters, or signs, as the necessities of the case may require, or a combination of colored signals and numbered or lettered plates of transparent material.

Our invention also consists in the novel construction and arrangement of the illumination chamber or chambers upon either the vertical or horizontal upper front corner of the head-light case, and in certain other novel features, as will be hereinafter described and specifically claimed.

The object of our invention, or several novel features of construction, is to furnish a head-light with night displaying-signals,which signals will show either the number or name of the engine, or number of the train, or other signal of the train, in a very distinct manner, and greatly facilitate the running of night trains, and aid the employs, train-dispatchers, and operators in telegraph and blocksignal offices to locate and designate the train or section of train passing; also, enable the engineer on an approaching train, or an engineer with his train on a siding, to know what train, section of a train, or engine is passing.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of our improved locomotive head-light with signal attachment. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section, and Fig. 3 a horizontal section, of the same. Fig. 4 is a broken detail vertical section of one of the sides of the illumination-chamber, showing the construction whereby one signal-plate can be slipped out of its place and another substituted therefor, or plates displaying different numbers or names or colors may be used interchangeably.

Similar letters of reference in the several figures indicate corresponding parts.

In the accompanying drawings, A represents a head-light or reflector case, provided, as usual, with one or more doors, and a ventilation and smoke passage, a. Within this case an ordinary burner, B, with oil-supplying reservoir 0, is applied in any approved manner, and in the usual or any proper relation to this burner an ordinary reflector, D, of parabolic form or other suitable form, is provided. These .parts, as described, may be of any proper known construction, and so far as the burner and reflector and that part of the case A in rear of the front edge or flange of the reflector are concerned, our invention does not relate to the same, but comprises the hereinafter-described improvement for use in conjunction with any head-light to which it may be applicable.

Forward of the reflector D, between the front edge or flange, 1), thereof and the usual large illumination-opening, c, of the case A, we form a signal illumination chamber, d, of greater size than the space which is usually left between these points, and on one or both The plates fare thus arranged in order that f, may be simply different-colored glass or (preferably both) of the vertical corners, or on the front top portion of the case A, we construct frame-like projections d, of the form shown in horizontal section in Fig. 3, or of any other suitable equivalent form. These projections may unite with parts of the circular projection c, which is usually around the opening 0, and within which the large circular plate of glass is placed; or they may not so unite with the said circular projection, but be fastened to the front of the case outside said projection, and therefrom extended back a short distance and united with the sides of the said case; but by preference we make them as described and shown. By forming these projections as shown, portions of the circular projection c and of the case A are cut away, and a signal illuminationchamber, (I, extending from one projection to the other, is formed, said chamber being between the top and bottom and side edges of the projections d. These projections (1 present a partially-front oblique side and a partially-back oblique side. Those portions of the projections which stand partially fronting the head-light case are respectively provided with a rectangular or other shape transparent plate, f, or colored glass, or other light-transmitting device, and uponthis plate the name or number of an engine or the name or number of a train of cars is placed in any well-known manner when the signals are used as indicators for showing the number of the engine or number of the train; or these plates may be simply different-colored glass or other transparent material, and be employed as danger-signals, or for designating the sections of a train, in which case they will be without numbers or letters upon the plates.

the numbers or names or colors may, by the reflection of light from the reflector and burner, be readily seen and noted; and those portions of the projections which face partially rearward may be provided withacircular or other shaped plate, f, of transparent material, colored glass, or other transparent orlight transmitting device or indicator. Onthis plate the number of an engine or a train or the name of such engine or train may be marked or illscribed in any well-known manner, in order that by the reflection of the rays of light from the reflector and burner it may be readily seen and noted. The plates 7, the same as plates equivalent device when used as danger-signals or for designating a section of a train.

In order to have the signal-plates of glass or other material interchangeable, we may place them within the projections d in such a manner that they may he slid in and out through openings in the top portions of said projections, which construction is illustrated at g in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the plates in these views of the drawings being shown fitted in guideways of the projections, and extending up through insertion and withdrawal openings in the tops of the projections.

Instead of the construction shown in Fig. 4, the plates may be fitted'indetachable frames similar to those shown at h for the round plates in Fig. 3, and these frames may be fitted over collars h of the projections, and thus constructed the plates may be used interchangeably. For different trains different numbers or names can be adopted by the engineer carrying different-lnnnbered signals with him on the en gine, and for danger-signals and signaling secti ons of a train diiferent colors can in like mannerbe carried and adopted by the engineer or manager. \Vhen the number of the engine is twenty-five,that number can be changed in case it should be desired to place the number of the train in front. Should the number of the train be placed on the front, then the number ofthe engine can be placed on the rear, and the two numbers used together, as illustrated; and, if desired, only one needbe used. If danger is to be signaled, or a section of a train signaled, the numbered or lettered signals are removed and signals of colored glass or other material inserted in their places, which. colorsignals, being well understood in railroading, will indicate at once what is intended.

From an examination of the drawings it will be seen that our construction of the illumination-chamber, and the arrangement-of the signals outside and forward of the front edge of the reflector, as well as outside the large glass opening at the front of the case A, will insure the illumination of the track by a very large reflector and front opening, and at the same time the most effective illumination of the nals, for the rays of light from the reflector will strike directly upon the signals, as well as upon the front circular glass of the headlight case, and not interfere in the least with the intended eil'ect of the light-that is, the direct rays of light will pass out in great volume and illuminate the track, while the reflected rays will pass into the chambers and illuminate the signals, and, while-this is the case, the signals are located so as to be seen by a person, whether in front, on the side, or in rear of the head-light.

The essential features of invention in. our within described signaling head light are, first, the manner of lighting the signals, numbers or names within frame-like projections, which hold the signals, numbers, or names at such an angle or in such a position as to cause them to receive the rays of light directly from the front of the reflector, or by the deflection of these rays sidewise, thereby insuring a brilliant illumination at all times when the lamp is lighted, or a sufliciently full illumination of the signals or names or numbers, even when the least light is afforded from the burner and reflector, inasmuch as such light is employed in a Very direct manner and without necessitating the diminishment of the diameter of the circular glass through which the light passes to light up the track; second, in the location of the numbers or the plates on the head-light, they being so placed as to enable the station-agent or telegraph-operator and others to read them dead ahead? of the engine, and also while the train is approach-' ing or passing a station, or passing another train, or a train on a side track, they can be seen for nearly half-way round from the front, thus insuring the agent or operator abundance of time to get the numbers and compare them before and whilethe engine is passing, and thus to avoid mistakes, whereas in other methods they can only be seen from the side when the engine is in front of or alongside the person whose duty it is to learn the numbers of said engine, and who is able, on account of this position, to receive only a hasty glance of them when the train is under full speed, and hence mistakes are liable to occur; and, third, the construction of the frame-like projections which hold the numbers or signals is such that, if desired, the number of the train, the name of the engine, or a signal may be shown, and such signal or number or name may be seen from the rear of the head-light, or from the side of the engine, or from the front of the same.

A signal, or a number, or a name, or a combination of number and name, or of signal and number or name, illuminated by means as described, insures great. safety and convenience; and a signal, or a number, or a name, illuminated by means as described, and seen from the rear of an engine or head-light, affords a convenience not heretofore secured from a head-light signal. Besides this, different numbers, or names, or signals maybe used, according to the number of the train or the kind of signaling to be performedthat is, the signals and their chambers are so constructed and arranged that the signals can be changed at will by the engineer, the interchangeable plates or some similar device, enabling him to make the changes, and the positions of these train numbers, names, or signals being such that they can be readily seen while standing at right angles with the e11- gine, and during the passage of the entire train, as well as during the approach. of the train or a section of a train.

WVe do not confine our invention for exhibiting an illuminated signal, name, or number at the rear of an illumination-chamber of aheadlight or projections, nor to the combination therewith of a forward signal or name. Neither do we confine our invention for exhibiting illuminated signals, names, or numbers at the rear, and on the side and front of an illuminated chamber of a head-light, to the exact form of the projection or projections. Neither do we confine our invention of the projections on the vertical side corners or horizontal front top corner of head-light cases to the construction which allows of signals, names, or numbers being used in plurality within each projection, as we contemplate usingv a single name, number, or signal instead of two, and to have the same forward of and outside the front edge or flange of the reflector, and outside the large front glass-covered opening of the head-light, and outside the chamber of the reflector or head-light case proper, and to illuminate such signal, name, or number by rays of light from the reflector and burner, in the peculiar manner hereinbefore specified.

- What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A locomotive headlight case provided with a signal illuminatioirchamber forward of and outside thefront edge or flange of the reflector, and such chamber being provided with front and rear illuminated signals, figures, or letters, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A head-light case provided with a signal illumination-chamber forward of and outside the front edge or flange'of the reflector, and such chamber being provided with a front and rear signal, substantially as described.

3. A head-light case provided with a signal illumination-chamber forward of and outside the front edge or flange of the reflector, and such chamber being provided with a rear signal, which can be seen from the rear of the head-light, substantially as described.

4. A head-light with a rear signal, which is illuminated by the burner and reflector, and can beseen from the rear of the head-light, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. A locomotive head -light comprising a burner, a reflector, and a reflector-case having a projecting signal illumination-chamber which extends diagonally across a corner of the case, outside the reflector-chamber or head-light case proper, and is forward of and outside the front edge orflange of the reflector, and on the outside of the large glass-covered opening in the front of the case, and which chamber is provided with a signal whereby the direct rays of light passing out at the front of the reflector are utilized more effectively for illuminating the signal, and the passage of the rays of light through the large glass-covered opening is unobstructed by any number or signal, substantially as described.

6. A signaling head-light provided with a signal, name, or number at the vertical side corner or corners of its reflector or head-light case, whereby the signal, name, or number can be displayed across said corner or corners, and can be illuminated by light from the burner and reflector, and can be seen from the front and side of the head-light, substantially as described. 

